OAKLEY maintain their lead in the Basingstoke and District League Division One mainly due to the fact that Howard Park delivered an unexpected defeat of Alton Social away 73-51.

Oakley beat Basingstoke Town away 57-50 and third placed Kingsclere managed a close win over Andover 57-55.

Whitchurch beat Old Basing 50-47 that suggests with three matches left in the season Old Basing are far enough adrift to put their stay in division one at jeopardy.

Division Two leaders Alton are already promoted after beating their nearest rivals St Mary Bourne 68-45. With a game in hand this has given Oakley B a chance of promotion despite losing to Town’s second string 54-49.

Hook dished out a crushing defeat on Thornycroft 74-49 and with continued improvement could still get promotion.

Howard Park played two games in two days in the Whitchurch , firstly just scraping home against Hyde Abbey B 49-48 and then a rearranged match against leaders Town Spades and won 67-37.

Both teams had player shortage but Town suffered worse than Park.

Oakley Buzzards also beat Town by just one shot and lie third with a game in hand.

Littleton Leopards are on a roll beating Old Basing Cavaliers 60-32.

Usual winners of the League Kingsclere have left themselves a lot to do this year, although they beat Hyde Abbey A 52-43.

Whitchurch Yellows did themselves a favour in Division Two by beating fellow promotion hopefuls Town Diamonds 56-49 away.

Andover A are still in the mix despite a bye week. Alton Social beat Hook Hares 68-45 was the other recorded result.

Division Three leaders St Mary Bourne Eagles had a bye week but Old Basing Roundheads had to share the points with strugglers Kingsclere Partridges after they drew 51-51.

Basingstoke Jokers have left it too late for promotion although they beat Whitchurch Blues 54-28.

Howard Park C are too far adrift although they beat Andover C 59-34.

The other result saw Oakley Kingfishers beat Hook Foxes 53-34.

In Division Four, Oakley Woodpeckers lost at home to Marnell Greens 45-37.

Friary had as low scoring win against Kingsclere Pheasants 35-27 and the fight between the two bottom teams saw Old Basing Royalists trounce Littleton Lions 64-35.

Finally St Mary Bourne Merlins put paid to any ambition Howard Park B may have had by winning 57-51.